RESERVED: THERE IS A TIME TO CLOSE THE BOOK…
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)
WHAT DOES A RESERVED SEAT MEAN? At the funeral home there are seats reserve for the family and the pall bearers.
At sporting events you can have a seat for an event ahead of time. A seat kept for your use.
LET US LEARN A LESSON ABOUT THE JEWISH SYNAGOGUES. The men sat on rows of benches on one side of the synagogue. The women had a small area where to sit. In the front of the synagogue was an area where THE RABBIS or TEACHER SAT. These RABBIS LEAD IN WORSHIP and PROVIDE SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE. These RABBI’S WERE MORE THAN SPIRITUAL LEADERS THEY WERE COMMUNITY LEADERS.
RESERVED: ONLY THE COMING MESSIAH! NO ONE CAME NEAR THE MESSIAH CHAIR.
The seats were assigned by the ORDER OF IMPORTANCE. THERE WAS ONE SEAT RESERVED IN THE FRONT OF THE SYNAGOGUE THAT ABSOLUTELY NO ONE EVER SAT. No one qualified in history to sit in the MESSIAH CHAIR. The Messiah chair was a PROPHETIC DREAM OF THE FUTURE. The Messiah is coming.
Every woman that was in a family way: expecting a child, dreamed this child might be the coming Messiah. There will come a son that will fulfill the dreams and rescue God’s people.
ALWAYS TWO EMPTY SEATS! THERE WERE ALWAYS TWO SEATS AT THE FRONT OF THE SYNAGOGUE… IN EACH SYNAGOGUE THERE WAS A “BOOK KEEPER!”
This BOOK KEEPER was responsible to protect the hand written scrolls of God’s word.
JESUS HAS BEEN TRAVELING TO AND PREACHING ALL AROUND ISRAEL. HE HAS MADE THE DECISION TO COME HOME TO MAKE A HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT.
JESUS MADE IT A HABIT OR A CUSTOM TO BE IN THE SYNAGOGUE EACH SABBATH DAY. This day Jesus finds himself back in Nazareth for a DIVINE REVELATION TO BE RELEASED.
Luke 4:15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
IS THIS TEXT THE BOOK KEEPER HAD ROLLED OUT A COINCIDENCE?
The RABBI HAD THE SCROLL OPEN TO ISAIAH 61. Jesus stands and teaches from ISAIAH THE GRAND ANNOUNCEMENT
OF SLL THE AGES.
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
WHY ARE ALL THE RABBIS, SCRIBES, PRIEST AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS SO UPSET? JESUS MAKES AN ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE WORDS SPOKEN THAT DAY WAS JESUS CHRIST IS THE MESSIAH, THE HOPE OF ETERNITY.
The religious leaders know for a fact Jesus is a carpenter’s son. Jesus belongs to Joseph and Mary.
Luke 4: 21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. 22 And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son? 23 And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. 24 And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.
HEY MY FRIENDS, YOU HAVE JUST HEARD THE SCRIPTURE HISTORY MADE.
THE SCRIPTURE HAS BEEN FULFILLED TODAY RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR EYES… JESUS CLOSES THE BOOK AND HANDS THE SCROLL CLOSE THE OLD TESTAMENT --- JESUS CLOSES THE BOOK AND HANDED IT BACK TO THE KEEPER OF THE WORD
Luke 4:20 (MSG) He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the place was on him, intent.
Jesus’ announces as he gives the WORD BACK TO THE MINISTER, THE BOOK KEEPER…
WHAT MAKES THE RELIGIOUS CROWD SO NERVOUS, JESUS CLOSES THE BOOK AND OPENS UP THE NEW TESTAMENT WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT THE MESSIAH IS HERE.
Sometimes GOD’S DESIGN IS TO CLOSE THE BOOKS… We can never open new chapters until we CLOSE THE BOOK. We must bring to an end unpleasant and difficult circumstances and situations. Today is a “NEW DAY.” We can’t have new opportunities doing THINGS THE SAME OLD WAY.
MY FRIEND WE MUST CLOSE THE DOOR ON YESTERDAY! YESTERDAY’S LOAD CAN BREAK THE BACK ON TODAY.
Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE HAVE SPECIAL UNITS CALLED D.O.T. These officers inspect vehicles and loads they carry. Bridges have weight limits… CLOSE THE BOOK.
CARGO SHIPS have depth lines … CLOSE THE BOOK.
IT TAKES FAITH TO CLOSE THE BOOKS. We happy happy days? Sad days? Sunshine rain?
2 Timothy 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: CLOSE THE BOOK.
WE CAN LIVE A LIFE TIME IN REGRET AND BLAME… CLOSE THE BOOK!
SAUL WAS A BAD MAN AND HAD ORDERS TO IMPRISON AND KILL CHRISTIANS. Saul held the coats as Stephen died. Saul was cruel, mean and wrong. CLOSE THE BOOK.
SAUL TRIED TO PREACH THE TRUTH AND THE CHRISTIANS FEARED HIM… CLOSE THE BOOK.
SAUL/NOW PAUL WAS LONG WINDED AND PREACHED ALL NIGHT, EUTYCHUS FELL OUT OF THE WINDOW WHILE SLEEPING DURING THE SERMON. CLOSE THE BOOK.
PAUL HAD A SERIOUS THORN AND HE PRAYED 3 TIMES TO REMOVE. GOD REFUSES TO REMOVE. CLOSE THE BOOK.
THERE WAS A FUSS AND DISAGREEMENT WITH PETER. CLOSE THE BOOK.
JOHN MARK DESERTS PAUL ON A MISSIONARY TRIP. CLOSE THE BOOK.
BARNABAS AND PAUL HAVE A BIG DISAGREEMENT OF JOHN MARK. THE SPLIT UP. CLOSE THE BOOK.
PAUL AND SILAS ARE LOCKED UP IN JAIL. THEY CLOSE THE BOOK IN PRAISE AND WORSHIP.
PAUL OFTEN NEVER WAS APPRECIATED OR PAID. CLOSE THE BOOK.
PAUL WAS SHIP WRECKED AND LOST ALL HOPE AND WISHED FOR THE DAY… CLOSE THE BOOK.
A POISONOUS VIPER WARMED IN THE FIRE AND BITE PAUL… CLOSE THE BOOK.
THERE WERE MEN THAT TOOK A VOW THEY WOULD NOT EAT UNTIL THEY KILLED PAUL. CLOSE THE BOOK.
DEMAS GOT ANGRY AT PAUL AND QUIT. CLOSE THE BOOK.
CONCLUSION. SOME GOOD PEOPLE GRABBED PAUL’S GIRDLE AND PROPHESIED GREAT HARM…
Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
JOSEPH HAD TO CLOSE THE BOOKS --- 10 BROTHERS WERE MEAN TO HIM, NEVER FORGET THE DREAM… CLOSE THE BOOK.
Genesis 45:5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.
DO YOUR BEST AND FORGET THE REST. CLOSE THE BOOK.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)
